Christmas pressie for myself

I'm thinking of getting myself 'proper' camera for Christmas Any advice on what to get? I like to take macros also landscapes and general photography. My optio just isn't doing it for me anymore! I don't have a clue where to start so any advice much appreciated. Thanks

By the sounds of it, you will need to consider something with weatherproofing - the K30 fits the bill perfectly at the budget-end of the scale, however I'm sure that others may suggest the K5, or variants of it. Only you can make the final, all-important choice though.

The half-way stage would be the all-in-one Pentax X-5, tremendous value at under £200 and a step up from a compact camera.

After that, it's the DSLRs and the K30 would be an ideal first step. However, you will not have the same macro capability as the X-5 without buying more lenses, nor will you have the ultra-telephoto capability without also buying more lenses.

Check out the X-5 here: http://www.pentax.co.uk/en/Digital%20Bridgecameras/X5.html and the K30 here: http://www.pentax.co.uk/en/Digital%20SLR/k-30.html

It depends on how much you want to spend.

Optio's and bridge cameras have tiny sensors and are severely limited by that. A K30 therefore would be the obvious step up to a 'proper camera'. I had the KX (twin lens kit) and KR before moving up to the K5. I miss their lightness but nothing else.I'm very pleased I now have the 18 - 135 DA WR lens as it covers much of what I'm taking AND is a decent close up lens (if not full macro) throughout the zoom range.

If your main use is for macro work, you'd do well to look at what lenses are available and at what price for the type of macro you intend.

When you've sorted that, buy a camera, lens or lenses, tripod, flash, and a bag to put it all in that suits your budget.

All Pentax DSLR's from the very first *istD are good at macro. The same can not be said for all lenses labelled 'Macro'.

My suggestion, start with a Pentax/Sigma/Tamron etc. dedicated macro lens of around 50mm if your subject will be coins, stamps, jewelry, 100mm if insects & flowers are your passion, and 180-200mm if you frequent the habitat of rattlesnakes or other biting/stinging critters.

Avoid any zoom lenses labelled macro. They are fine as a zoom lens, mediocre as a macro lens, and will not give you 1:1 magnification.

Depending on the budget, maybe it's worth looking at a second hand body? The K7, K-r, K-x or even the K20/10 bodies are very capable cameras and any of them would be a big step up in terms handling, features and IQ from a compact. The money saved from not buying a brand new body (depending on budget again!) could go towards a dedicated macro lens/mid range zoom/50mm lens?

Alternatively, The best value for money new body at the moment has to be the K30 and possibly the original K5. If you want to try out macro "on the cheap" after buying a body, you could get a manual 50mm lens (not expensive) and reverse mount it or using it with extension tubes.

I guess if money is no object then a K5II/K5IIs + DA* 16-50/2.8 + DFA 100mm f2.8 WR all the way!

D

If you want to 'try' using a DSLR there is a used k200d for sale link Its a good no nonense camera at a very realistic price. They don't come up for sale often.

By the way Barry, who is selling it, is a nice man.

Dave

Good Camera the 200